Chapter 2

Lily stayed in Mason's room taking care of him all night.

The next morning, when I came downstairs, I saw Mason busy in the kitchen.

He fried eggs, heated milk, and arranged toast triangles on a plate.

Then he brought it to Lily, his voice gentle: "Eat it while it's hot."

Lily smiled and poked him: "When did you learn to take care of people so well?"

His gaze settled on Lily's face. He didn't speak, but the corners of his mouth curved upward.

In my previous life after we married, he would also cook for me.

When I had my period, he would clumsily make warm milk.

I stood at the bottom of the stairs, my footsteps pausing.

"Mabel, come have breakfast." Lily called to me.

Mason looked up at me, his gaze indifferent.

No extra words, no extra expression.

I sat down at the table, and he stood up, keeping one seat between us.

The way he looked at me was like looking at a stranger.

It reminded me of the ruthlessness in his eyes when he forced me to leave with nothing in my previous life.

After forcing down a piece of bread, I stood up:

"I'm full. I have class at school, I'll head out first."

Lily said: "So soon? You haven't had your milk yet..."

"I'm running late."

I grabbed my bag and escaped out the door.

All day, I searched for study abroad information in the library and filled out applications.

In my previous life, I gave up my chance to study abroad to stay by Mason's side.

This time, I would go far, far away and live for myself.

That evening, I planned to stay in the dorms, but Lily called.

"Mabel, come home for dinner, I have big news!"

When I got home, Mason opened the door.

Seeing me, he frowned: "Why did you come back?"

Clearly, he wasn't the one who wanted me back.

"Lily said there was something." I said quietly.

Lily poked her head out from the kitchen:

"Mabel's back!"

She pressed me down on the sofa and handed me the remote: "You watch TV, dinner will be ready soon!"

Mason helped her in the kitchen.

Through the glass door, I watched him lower his head listening to Lily talk, his lips curved in a slight arc, his eyes so tender they could overflow.

He had also cooked for me before.

When I had a fever, he stayed up all night and made me porridge in the morning. On my birthday, he canceled his business dinners and came home to cook a whole table of dishes.

"What are you spacing out about?"

Seeing me lost in thought, Lily pushed Mason out of the kitchen.

"You go keep Mabel company. I can handle the last soup myself."

Mason reluctantly wiped his hands and sat down on the single sofa across from me.

The distance was far.

Silence spread between us.

The TV played some boring variety show, the laughter sounding particularly harsh.

"Mabel." Mason suddenly spoke.

I looked at him.

He looked at me, his eyes heavy: "Study hard, be more grounded, don't think about things you shouldn't."

My heart felt like it was being squeezed tight.

Things I shouldn't think about.

In his eyes, my feelings for him were things I shouldn't think about.

In my previous life when he discovered my diary, he said: "Mabel Parker, you truly disgust me."

He thought I deliberately sabotaged them, thought I was greedy and ungrateful.

But I just liked him. I never said anything to Lily to damage their relationship.

He didn't believe me.

"I understand." I heard my own calm voice. "I won't."

During dinner, Lily announced with flushed cheeks: "Mason proposed to me today!"

She extended her left hand, the diamond ring on her ring finger sparkling under the lights.

"Congratulations." I showed a genuinely happy smile. "Mason, Lily, I wish you both happiness."

Mason's hand holding the knife and fork paused, and he looked up at me.

I lowered my head to eat, pretending not to notice.

After dinner, I volunteered to clean up the dishes.

Vague laughter came from the living room. Lily was talking about her vision for the wedding, and Mason responded in a low voice, his tone indulgent.

After washing the dishes, I dried my hands and was about to go out and tell them I had things to do at school.

Just as I reached the living room doorway, I heard Mason's voice:

"...After she graduates, let's have her move out. I'll buy her an apartment near school. It's not convenient for a young woman to keep living with us."

Lily disagreed: "But isn't it unsafe for Mabel to live alone?"

"Besides, you two are siblings, what's wrong with living together?"

Mason's voice was flat: "She's grown up, she should have her own life. We also need our own space."

I stood in place, not listening any further.

I turned around, quietly went upstairs, grabbed my bag, and left.

After getting far enough away, I sent Lily a message:

「Lily, something came up at school suddenly, I'm heading back. Good night.」

I took a deep breath.

Moving out was for the best.

The farther away, the safer.